Debris-collecting apparatus and method of collecting debris

Abstract

Debris-collecting systems and bagging apparatus for debris-collecting systems are provided. One bagging apparatus includes a primary bag and a dust skirt configured to wrap around the primary bag. At least an inner face of the dust skirt has an electrical charge. One debris-collecting apparatus includes an input portion, a bagging portion, and a draft inducer for drawing the air and debris through the input portion and to the bagging portion. The bagging portion has a hood, a primary bag removably positioned lowerly adjacent the hood, a dust skirt configured to wrap around the primary bag, and a bagging passage for directing air and debris to the hood from the input portion. The hood has a helical configuration extending from the bagging passage toward the primary bag. At least an inner face of the dust skirt is electrically charged. A frame having at least one wheel facilitates transportation.

We claim: 
     
       1. A debris-collecting apparatus, comprising:
 an input portion; 
 a bagging portion having a hood, an air permeable bag removably positioned lowerly adjacent the hood, an electrically-charged dust skirt configured to wrap around the air permeable bag, and a bagging passage for directing air and debris to the hood from the input portion; the hood having a helical configuration extending from the bagging passage toward the air permeable bag; 
 a draft inducer for drawing the air and debris through the input portion and to the bagging portion; 
 a frame operatively coupled to the input portion, the bagging portion, and the draft inducer; the frame having at least one wheel to facilitate transportation; and 
 a ramp for directing the air and debris away from the hood and into the air permeable bag; the air permeable bag having a smaller diameter than the helical configuration; the ramp bridging the helical configuration and the air permeable bag; 
 wherein the helical configuration of the hood extends such that the air and debris from the bagging passage travel along the helical configuration to a point below where the air and debris enter the hood from the bagging passage and applies a dislodging force on the air permeable bag to dislodge debris collected at an inner face of the air permeable bag. 
 
     
     
       2. The debris-collecting apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein:
 an opening is formed in the hood inside the helical configuration; a filter is removably positioned to restrict the debris from exiting through the opening; and 
 the filter extends downwardly inside at least one of the hood and the air permeable bag, whereby further causing helical movement of the debris by providing an inner boundary around which the debris must pass. 
 
     
     
       3. The debris-collecting apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the helical configuration of the hood extends at least two hundred and seventy degrees about an imaginary vertical axis. 
     
     
       4. The debris-collecting apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the helical configuration of the hood extends at least three hundred and sixty degrees about an imaginary vertical axis. 
     
     
       5. The debris-collecting apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein:
 an opening is formed in the hood inside the helical configuration; and 
 a filter is removably positioned to restrict the debris from exiting through the opening. 
 
     
     
       6. The debris-collecting apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein both external and internal surfaces of the hood have the helical configuration. 
     
     
       7. A method of collecting debris, comprising:
 providing a debris-collecting apparatus having:
 an input portion; 
 a bagging portion having a hood, an air permeable bag removably positioned lowerly adjacent the hood, and a bagging passage for directing air and debris to the hood from the input portion; the hood having a helical configuration extending from the bagging passage toward the air permeable bag; 
 a draft inducer for drawing the air and debris through the input portion and to the bagging portion; 
 a frame operatively coupled to the input portion, the bagging portion, and the draft inducer; the frame having at least one wheel to facilitate transportation; and 
 a ramp for directing the air and debris away from the hood and into the air permeable bag; the air permeable bag having a smaller diameter than the helical configuration; the ramp bridging the helical configuration and the air permeable bag; 
 wherein the helical configuration of the hood extends such that the air and debris from the bagging passage travel along the helical configuration to a point below where the air and debris enter the hood from the bagging passage and applies a dislodging force on the air permeable bag to dislodge debris collected at an inner face of the air permeable bag; 
 securing an electrically-charged dust skirt outside the air permeable bag; and 
 drawing debris from the input portion to the air permeable bag using the draft inducer; the debris traveling from the input portion to the hood through the bagging passage, along the helical configuration of the hood to a point below where the debris enters the hood from the bagging passage, and being directed by the ramp into the air permeable bag; a portion of the drawn debris passing through the air permeable bag and being collected on the electrically-charged dust skirt.